TRIBUTES to legendary comic and musician Bob Williamson have been paid by friends and family.

The Bolton-born-and-bred funnyman died on Sunday, aged 67.

He rose to fame in the 1970s as part of the folk/comedy boom, which included names such as Jasper Carrott, Mike Harding, Billy Connolly and Bernard Wrigley.

The ‘Lanky’ Bolton entertainer released three albums in the 1970s – Superturn (Sweet Folk All), Greatest Hits Volume 6 and Still Hazy After All These Beers.

Some of his most well-known songs were Lanky Spoken Here, Kippers for Tea and Holland’s Meat Pie.

The former postman also appeared on TV in shows such as The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club, Coronation Street, Granada News, and more recently Phoenix Nights, alongside fellow Bolton comedian Peter Kay – whom he failed to impress as character Brian Potter in the end-of-episode audition scenes.

He was also a friend to many, including Bernard Wrigley, who remembers meeting Bob as a 19-year-old teenager while performing at the Bolton’s Octagon Theatre.

Mr Wrigley said: “I will remember him as a good friend and a complete clown.

“Everything he did was from a humorous point of view.

“He used to say that he could sing a traditional ballad, but then he could do something funny and everyone would say ‘oh that was fantastic’, so he just kept on doing funny things. Lots of people will have very fond memories of him.”

Bob’s father, 96-year-old Fred Williamson, also wrote a poem in memory of his son. 

He said: “Always smiling, always content, loved and respected wherever he went.”

His final published piece was a compilation CD of his favourite tracks from his three albums, which was brought out in 2006, much to the delight of his long-serving fans. 

Bolton comedian and presenter Stu Francis said: “He was a good friend and a great comic. Bob was performing through the folk clubs and then his comedy got stronger and that took over. 

“He was unique. What you saw was what you got with him. On stage he wasn’t a different Bob he was just an extension of himself. He was very natural. He has gone too soon, any time is too soon but at this age it is too soon. It is very sad.”